India Withdraws Mandatory Pre-Install Order for ‘Sanchar Saathi’ App
The Government of India has withdrawn its directive requiring smartphone makers to pre-install the state-run cybersecurity app Sanchar Saathi on all new devices. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry of Communications announced that mobile manufacturers are no longer obligated to include the app. The report came via Reuters.
On 28 November, the government had instructed major manufacturers—including Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi—to pre-install the app within 90 days in a way that would prevent users from deleting it. Once the directive became public, political parties, privacy advocates, and tech companies protested, sparking widespread controversy. The opposition Congress party questioned the legal validity of the decision, while privacy groups expressed concerns over potential surveillance.
Apple and Samsung had already indicated they were unlikely to comply. However, the government maintained that the app was designed solely to help identify stolen phones and prevent misuse.
Analysts say the sudden policy reversal is yet another example of regulatory unpredictability in India’s tech sector, adding uncertainty to the overall business environment.
DBTech/BMT/OR
